THE next Bishop of Hereford is all ‘Rev-ved’ up about his new ministry.

That’s because Rt Rev Richard Jackson owns a Harley Davidson and is looking forward to getting out on his bike in the largely rural diocese and spreading the Christian message.

Known as the ‘Biking Bishop’, the current Suffragan Bishop of Lewes in East Sussex was appointed the 106th Bishop of Hereford earlier this month and will take up his role in the New Year.

The position dates back to 676 and the diocese includes Ross-on-Wye, Whitchurch and Dixton and Wyesham in Monmouth.

Responding to his appointment, the 58-year-old father-of-three said: “I am immensely humbled to have been chosen to become the next Bishop of Hereford.

“This beautiful dio-cese is in my DNA. I’ve traced my family tree and if I took a journey visiting churches on the Welsh Border, I would be able to see the graves of my ancestors dating back to the 13th Century. I am looking forward to talking to the people of our diocese about the good news of Jesus Christ.

“In uncertain times, what the Bible says and the example of Jesus’ life are timeless, guiding us through our complex modern world.

“I hope I can energise people to consider that the Christian life – with all its joy, peace and purpose – is for everyone, young and old.@

Bishop Richard studied agriculture and forestry at Christ Church at the University of Oxford and completed a Master’s degree in soil and water engineering at Cranfield.

He then worked in agriculture as an agronomist, advising farmers.

One summer, he attended a Christian sum- mer conference, and felt called to ordination.

In his five years as bishop in East Sussex, Richard Jackson has been known as the ‘biking bishop’ as a result of his passion for motorbiking on his ‘Fat Boy’ 1.4L Harley Davidson.

On Twitter, he’s @rickthevic22 and is about to leap out of an aeroplane in a charity skydive for the Church Urban Fund.

Meanwhile, Newport Cathedral was in lockdown yesterday (Tuesday, September 17) as the 47-member Church in Wales Electoral College met to appoint the next Bishop of Monmouth.

Former Caldicot and Monmouth vicar Rt Rev Richard Pain stepped down in April following a nine-month absence from the role that some blamed on a personality clash with other senior church figures.